The Point: Face-To-Facebook

September 21, 2017

I hope this shows up in people’s newsfeeds. For the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, I’m John Stonestreet with The Point.

It’s not rocket science: The more time you spend on social media, the less time you have for healthier activities. Another study in the American Journal of Epidemiology backs that up.

Researchers from Yale and University of California followed the mental and physical health, and Facebook usage, of more than 5,000 people over two years. They then surveyed them about their social lives, health and overall satisfaction.

The result? Time spent on Facebook was “tightly linked” to poor physical and psychological health, as well as lower overall satisfaction with life. Conversely, time spent in real-world, face-to-face interaction correlated with better health both mentally and physically.

“The more times you click ‘like’,” writes Susan Pinker in the Wall Street Journal, “the worse you feel.”

Christians have an explanation for this: We’re embodied creatures, not just minds. Online interactions—even good ones—can’t replace real time in the presence of others. So take a break from social media: your health might depend on it.

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Just One Voice

I’m always shocked at how many people don’t grasp this.

Personal technology in all its forms is a very bitter-sweet package for me (I mean that quite literally). While they offer a lot of good things, man, they’re one of the most poisonous baits if you’re not careful!

There are times I wish I would’ve lived in the Stone Age; just good ‘ole hunting, gathering, come home & share with your family or village.